Note to all the whiners in the world. This woman emerged from a childhood of poverty, abuse, and neglect and turned herself into a world famous beloved icon who will never be forgotten. That is the kind of strength and mental toughness we need more of today.
Not really sure that "mental toughness" is a phrase that can be attributed to Marilyn Monroe. She was pretty unhinged for most of her life. That said, she did achieve a lot.
There is no doubt that she was quite possibly the most beautiful woman ever produced by the United States. If you look at the first couple of pictures of this set, compared to those that follow, you can see a difference. The first 2 or 3 she seems to be showing more of the real Norma Jean, and not so much of the pin up girl that Hollywood was looking for with her. While I like all of the views of her, since she was so gorgeous, and compared to some of the skeletal beauty presented today, she was a real woman, I like the pictures that show her soul a bit more. She was before my time, but I am still intrigued by her. As for her acting, if anyone ever watched the movie Niagara, you know that she really could do a decent job of acting, and playing the dumb blonde was not fair to her talent. Thanks Jeffery, for a really nice set of pictures that show MM in a lot of her various styles.
I wasn't going to comment, but, as a tribute, I have to. Let me explain. We'll use the name "Mary Ann Miller", just to protect her real name and her memory. It was 1959 and just shy of 300 of us entered junior high, coming from 4 or 5 elementary schools. We'll say half were boys, half girls. Then there was MM. Natural blond, a little above average height, a tad (maybe 8 pounds) heavy, and built like one of Hef's 23 year old bunnies. I mean serious, big time "D" cups-enough to make a lot of the moms cry. Not at all pretentious, if you could describe a girl who attracted attention from a wide range of pre-teen and teen boys, men, grandfathers, and most likely every soldier, sailor, and fly boy who ever set eyes on her. She was a little self-conscious but by that tender, young age she likely let the fact that she was in every guy's dreams hone some of her aloofness. We could talk with her, but not otherwise get inside her web. Never knew if she was dating a much older high school guy, but that would have been a safe assumption. Probably got groped by those closest to her, but her home situation never came out, other than she seemed not to have siblings. Oh yeah, average grades at best (and those declined in each year for the rest of her academic 'career'. I would have loved to get into her, if only I knew how and knew what I was doing. Yeah, I was one of the few, youngish pre-teens who was there (Mom pushed me into Kindergarten while I was still 4 years old). But I sure knew what a boner was after being classmates with MM.
Going into high school my family moved into another high school district so MM and I were no longer classmates. But every so often I'd ask an old buddy how she was doing. Then off to college at a school that had a bit of a reputation for attracting goof-offs. Me? I wanted to learn and it was the Viet Nam era, so getting a student deferment appealed to some more than others. First week freshman, wearing my damn Army ROTC uniform, and who do I see? Yup, there she is, taller, slimmer, and sporting her plaid pencil skirt with shapely biscuits and beautiful milkers. We say hi, though I look pretty much like any other kid Army recruit-green uniform and shortest haircut in my life. She dropped out (flunked out? Never knew that detail) to get married, which apparently she did soon after.
One kid, divorce, re-married, divorced, then the downward spiral really gained momentum. Learned enough of the sad detail while looking for the obituary of a buddy classmate at her high school. She has been dead for about 25 years along with her fiance, killed by her ex-husband who then shot himself-all were struggling alcoholics.
Back to the good stuff. MM always reminded me of Marilyn Monroe in many ways. In fact, I truly felt she was prettier, likely could have learned the actress trade, and certainly could have attracted just about any man she would have dreamed about. I sure wish she could have taken the other fork in the road and reaped the benefits of her God given beauty and warmth in ways she and those of us who even only knew her slightly would have wished for her.
If I had a choice, I know which MM I would have asked out for a date.
Sad she had to leave us too soon. Ohio Guy
ReplyDeleteDid not leave you...
DeleteI just read a good story about the three bombshells which included her.
ReplyDeleteShe has many imitators, but there'll never be another Norma Jean. Nemo
ReplyDelete"Good-bye, Norma Jean...", Elton John had the right of it.
DeleteNote to all the whiners in the world. This woman emerged from a childhood of poverty, abuse, and neglect and turned herself into a world famous beloved icon who will never be forgotten. That is the kind of strength and mental toughness we need more of today.
ReplyDeleteNot really sure that "mental toughness" is a phrase that can be attributed to Marilyn Monroe. She was pretty unhinged for most of her life. That said, she did achieve a lot.
DeleteI don't think she committed suicide.
ReplyDeleteNobody else does, either.
DeleteYou want the 50s in one package? You just saw it.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it delicious?
ReplyDeleteImperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.
ReplyDeleteTY Irish - lovin the pics
There is no doubt that she was quite possibly the most beautiful woman ever produced by the United States. If you look at the first couple of pictures of this set, compared to those that follow, you can see a difference. The first 2 or 3 she seems to be showing more of the real Norma Jean, and not so much of the pin up girl that Hollywood was looking for with her.
ReplyDeleteWhile I like all of the views of her, since she was so gorgeous, and compared to some of the skeletal beauty presented today, she was a real woman, I like the pictures that show her soul a bit more. She was before my time, but I am still intrigued by her. As for her acting, if anyone ever watched the movie Niagara, you know that she really could do a decent job of acting, and playing the dumb blonde was not fair to her talent. Thanks Jeffery, for a really nice set of pictures that show MM in a lot of her various styles.
The one and only.....
ReplyDeleteI wasn't going to comment, but, as a tribute, I have to. Let me explain. We'll use the name "Mary Ann Miller", just to protect her real name and her memory. It was 1959 and just shy of 300 of us entered junior high, coming from 4 or 5 elementary schools. We'll say half were boys, half girls. Then there was MM. Natural blond, a little above average height, a tad (maybe 8 pounds) heavy, and built like one of Hef's 23 year old bunnies. I mean serious, big time "D" cups-enough to make a lot of the moms cry. Not at all pretentious, if you could describe a girl who attracted attention from a wide range of pre-teen and teen boys, men, grandfathers, and most likely every soldier, sailor, and fly boy who ever set eyes on her. She was a little self-conscious but by that tender, young age she likely let the fact that she was in every guy's dreams hone some of her aloofness. We could talk with her, but not otherwise get inside her web. Never knew if she was dating a much older high school guy, but that would have been a safe assumption. Probably got groped by those closest to her, but her home situation never came out, other than she seemed not to have siblings. Oh yeah, average grades at best (and those declined in each year for the rest of her academic 'career'. I would have loved to get into her, if only I knew how and knew what I was doing. Yeah, I was one of the few, youngish pre-teens who was there (Mom pushed me into Kindergarten while I was still 4 years old). But I sure knew what a boner was after being classmates with MM.
ReplyDeleteGoing into high school my family moved into another high school district so MM and I were no longer classmates. But every so often I'd ask an old buddy how she was doing. Then off to college at a school that had a bit of a reputation for attracting goof-offs. Me? I wanted to learn and it was the Viet Nam era, so getting a student deferment appealed to some more than others. First week freshman, wearing my damn Army ROTC uniform, and who do I see? Yup, there she is, taller, slimmer, and sporting her plaid pencil skirt with shapely biscuits and beautiful milkers. We say hi, though I look pretty much like any other kid Army recruit-green uniform and shortest haircut in my life. She dropped out (flunked out? Never knew that detail) to get married, which apparently she did soon after.
One kid, divorce, re-married, divorced, then the downward spiral really gained momentum. Learned enough of the sad detail while looking for the obituary of a buddy classmate at her high school. She has been dead for about 25 years along with her fiance, killed by her ex-husband who then shot himself-all were struggling alcoholics.
Back to the good stuff. MM always reminded me of Marilyn Monroe in many ways. In fact, I truly felt she was prettier, likely could have learned the actress trade, and certainly could have attracted just about any man she would have dreamed about. I sure wish she could have taken the other fork in the road and reaped the benefits of her God given beauty and warmth in ways she and those of us who even only knew her slightly would have wished for her.
If I had a choice, I know which MM I would have asked out for a date.
The one and only, dearest Marilyn.
ReplyDeleteI guess that I just don't see it. I've always thought she was artificial, overrated, and plastic looking. Oh well, not everyone can be a fan.....
ReplyDelete